mark bower: statement

Yesterday was a sad day when Danny and I left Guiseley AFC. We have made some great friends in the last 5/6 years and have memories that will live with us forever. That day at Chorley will take some beating.

I am immensely proud of our record at the club since being appointed in 2013 and year on year we met or exceeded the expectations of the board of directors. In our first season we were asked to finish in the top half of the table and displayed title winning form in reaching the play off final. In the second year the target was promotion which we achieved where there had been so many failures before. During the last season our survival in the National League was successfully delivered. Next Monday I'll watch Guiseley play a league game at Tranmere Rovers live on national television and will take great pride in how far we've taken the club.

This season has obviously not started the way anyone would have liked. It was clear that towards the end of last season we needed to make some changes this summer. We were working with a reduced budget, but were happy with the players we brought in and optimistic going into the new season. There has been some bad luck along the way with the Wrexham penalty and freak goal at Ferriby. Anyone can see that we've not been embarrassed and looked competitive and capable of scoring goals so far, but we've made some basic defensive errors that are hard to legislate for as a manager, and they have cost us dearly. I am however responsible for putting the players on the pitch and I know that ultimately the buck stops with me. It does feel surreal though that, after three successful seasons and having had to put a new team together with a reduced budget, Danny and I have lost our jobs just two weeks into the new season. That is the modern game though, I respect the decision that has been made and I wish Locky and the players all the best in the next few weeks and beyond.

There are too many people to thank in and around the club now, but once the dust has settled, we'll hopefully be able to get up to a game and see all the people who make Guiseley the special place it is.

Sincere thanks to the board of directors who gave us the opportunity in the first place and have backed us throughout our time at the club and also the supporters who followed us all over the country and, even through tough times, were there backing us and the team.

Finally a massive thank you to Danny and Martin for playing a vital role in what has been a real team effort. Dedicated, fiercely loyal, honest and talented, they've been a pleasure to work with.